“Good.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Though if you are, you should let us know in case we have to help you get out of town.”
He bit back a smile. “I appreciate the thought, but I’m fine here in Cisco.” At least, he was until Sheriff Cobb got a whiff of his location, and then he’d be screwed again. So he had to keep off the radar. “Where am I taking you, Grams?”
Zara turned and frowned. “Is she safe? I mean, if somebody is after me, do you think she’s safe?”
“I do,” Ryker said. “But if it’ll make you feel better, we can put her up at my place.” Greg could move into Denver’s spare bedroom. “Though we need to buy some beds if we keep adding people.” He had no problem sharing Denver’s and Heath’s places as well—they were family. That’s what normal families did, right? Plus, he had a feeling having a Grams was going to be a lot of fun, and he wanted to share her with his brothers.
“I’d love to stay over,” Grams chirped. “Lovely. Just lovely.”
Ryker kept one eye on the road while glancing at his phone for an update from Heath, who’d been tailing Jonny after he’d left the hospital. So far all Jonny had done was hit a pharmacy, a fast food joint, and a convenience store, where he’d purchased deodorant, cough drops, and porn.
Ryker kept a close eye on the surrounding block as he pulled into the underground garage and parked the truck. Silence pounded around them, and he turned to his senses, the ones he didn’t understand, to make sure no threats were nearby.
Nothing.
He got out of the truck and assisted Grams from the backseat. She tottered for a moment on the concrete and then looked up more than a foot to his face. “Thanks.” Her smile flashed dimples.
“You’re welcome.” He gently turned her toward the stairs, more aware than ever of his odd strength when faced with somebody so breakable.
She stomped snow from her boots as she made for the stairs, reaching for Zara’s hand as she neared.
Ryker followed in somewhat of a daze. He now had a woman, an elderly lady, and a kid all coexisting in his apartment. So much for being on his own. For some reason, his heart felt lighter. What would Heath and Den think of the colorful Grams?
Even so, he kept listening for threats, so when they shoved open the door of his apartment, he could only stare. Black leather couches faced a monstrous television, where Greg was playing some high-speed car-chase video game. Modern end tables were scattered around a stark white rug.
He slowly turned to see a kitchen table in the other room. “Greg?”
The kid paused the game and turned. “I bought some shit.” He glanced at Grams and instantly turned red. “I mean stuff.”
Ryker closed the door behind himself and leaned against it. “How?”
Greg smiled at the women. “Hacked your credit card. Well, the one you’re using these days, anyway. Oh, and it cost a lot extra for the super-fast delivery.”
Ryker shut his eyes and drew on patience. “Did you get bedroom sh—stuff?”
“Yep.”
“Good. This is Grams, and she’s taking over the spare bedroom. You can bunk with one of the other guys or just take the couch.” Ryker rubbed a hand through his hair.
Greg nodded. “I’ll take the couch. It’s totally soft and comfortable, man.”
Grams clapped her hands together. “I’m starving. How about I make some homemade chili?”
Greg’s eyes glowed. Actually glowed.
Ryker looked around the suddenly packed apartment. Packed with people he cared about and needed to protect. His lungs compressed, and responsibility hit him so hard in the chest he almost bent over.
He could do this. He had to do this. The fear that he’d fail had to be banished, because no way could he fail. Not with this, and not with them.
Control. He’d use his wits to keep everyone safe, no matter how brutal he had to become.
Ryker’s phone beeped, and he glanced down. The alarm in the safe house had been activated, showing movement. Hell.
Keeping his face placid, and wanting nothing more than to run away for just a few minutes to be alone, he cleared his throat. “I have a work situation.” Retreating through the door, he bit back a smile at the panicked look on Zara’s face. “I’ll be back. Um, everybody stay here.” He shut the door before the woman could argue.
Turning, he took the stairs to the garage three at a time while dialing Heath, who answered on the second ring. “Hey,” Ryker said. “Where are you? We have a hit on safe house three.” Could it be Isobel? Finally, some answers.
“I’m heading back to town and should be there in an hour or so,” Heath said. “I put a tracker on Jonny’s car, but I’m thinking he’s a useless hired thug who isn’t going to get us anywhere.”